World First! China Issues "ID Cards" for Humanoid Robots
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Technology around the world is advancing rapidly, with the latest innovation coming from China, specifically the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Hubei Province. They are implementing the provision of special “ID cards” for humanoid robots.
This world-first innovation is designed to ensure full traceability and operational accountability. Additionally, the special identity number for humanoid robots aims to record the entire activity history of the robot throughout its lifespan to mitigate risks and determine legal responsibility if a malfunction occurs.
Citing China Daily, Chief Operating Officer of the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Liu Chuanhou, explained that the unique number consists of 29 characters comprising numbers and English letters that identify the nationality of the brand up to the product serial number. He stated that this digital identity includes key information from the manufacturer, hardware parameters, intelligence level, to real-time equipment maintenance records.
“If the robot malfunctions, we can check the operational logs and maintenance records through its unique ID to identify the malfunction location, determine liability, and perform efficient maintenance,” he said, citing China Daily, quoted on Thursday (14/5/2026).
This digital identity enables monitoring of component wear, battery status, and operational accuracy of the robot, which can be accessed at any time through a dedicated management platform. Besides supervision, the system makes it easier for new users to verify the robot’s performance without needing time-consuming repeated testing.
“In cases involving safety incidents or potential data hazards, the ID number can support rapid traceability and responsibility confirmation, helping to prevent risks such as technology misuse and information leaks,” he continued.
On the other hand, several leading humanoid robot manufacturers in China, such as Maxnova, have completed the coding and archiving process for their flagship products. This standardisation policy is seen to help industry players meet regulatory compliance while reducing operational and maintenance costs for products in large-scale markets.
Maxnova’s Business Director, Liu Jieni, revealed that participating in this initiative strengthens the company’s core competitiveness and brand influence in the global industry.
“Participating in this initiative not only helps us address compliance gaps and reduce operation and maintenance costs, but also promotes the large-scale market expansion of our products,” she stated.
China currently leads the global humanoid robot industry, controlling around 84.7% of total worldwide shipments or 14,400 units in 2025. Through the implementation of unique identity numbers, local authorities aim to strengthen the institutional foundation for the development of intelligent technologies integrated into daily life with high security standards.